Bailee Madison is more than just an actor; she’s a multi-hyphenate who has experienced massive success. The public has watched her grow from an innocent young girl into a powerful woman, and even with so many credits to her name, it looks like she’s just getting started. Here is her stunning transformation.
Her first film role was at age five, before she landed a big break in Bridge to Terabithia
At 5 years old, Madison booked a role in the 2006 movie Lonely Hearts, which put her on the radar. Then, she booked Bridge to Terabithia in 2007, where she developed a close relationship with her onscreen brother Josh Hutcherson. When the filming wrapped, her colleagues gave her a fairy costume made up of the cut-up costumes her character wore.
She starred with great actors
At only 10 years old, Madison had already starred in 13 projects. She worked with film icons like Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, and Natalie Portman in blockbuster movies like Brothers.
She tackled horror movies
In 2010, Madison secured her debut in a horror film, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, directed by Guillermo Del Toro, collaborating with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. She told AXS that the hardest part was working with computer-generated creatures that weren’t in the scene, but she got used to it.
A strong connection with her onscreen family
As she began to blossom in her teenage years, Madison was busier than ever. She earned a role on The Fosters in 2014, which lasted for two seasons, and also showed up in projects like Wizards of Waverly Place, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, and Trophy Wife.
She wasn’t afraid to clap back at trolls
Madison was called a prude by online trolls in 2015, but rather than brushing it off, she wrote an inspiring essay on Tumblr and sparked the social media movement #IamMoreThanAWord, which preached kindness and encouraged vulnerability.
In 2016, she experienced young love
Madison began dating influencer and entertainer Alex Lange in 2016. On a podcast, she said that while Lange was open about his feelings the first night they met, she waited six months before she said, “I love you.” Unfortunately, the relationship didn’t last, and they broke up in 2019.
She explored being a producer
In 2016, Madison took her first role behind the camera, producing kids’ films like A Cowgirl’s Story and Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket, which she also starred in. She told The PC Principle that it was an incredibly gratifying experience and that she appreciated the producers and director for trusting her.
She co-authored a book with Stefne Miller
In 2018, Madison published her first book called Losing Brave. It was a YA thriller that explored psychological depths rarely seen in teen fiction. She called the experience of writing it “nerve-wracking” but said she loved the book world, adding that the main character reflected both authors’ experiences.
Bailee Madison’s return to horror
Madison couldn’t stay away from her dark side, so she returned to the horror world with The Strangers: Prey At Night, in which she played a rebellious teen hunted by masked psychopaths. According to an interview with Daily Dead, she loved how physical and stunt-oriented the role was.
As a teen, she had a grounded POV towards fame
Given her experience, Madison has often felt older than she actually is. In a 2018 interview with Schön magazine, she called it surreal and overwhelming to grow up in front of the camera but said she felt “fortunate and blessed” and always maintained a positive attitude.
She started to date pop star Blake Richardson
While the public witnessed her puppy love with Alex Lange, her first mature relationship in the spotlight was with UK musician Blake Richardson, whom she hard-launched on social media in 2021. In 2022, she posted for their three-year anniversary, and in 2024, they celebrated five years together. Although they started off long-distance, the couple is still going strong.
Bailee Madison starred in the Pretty Little Liars franchise
In one of her boldest roles, Madison played a pregnant teen, Imogen Adams, in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. She admitted that wearing the pregnancy prosthesis for months gave her back pain, but it was worth it to take on such a juicy role and join an all-female cast with whom she formed a real-life sisterhood.
She started a music career and signed a record deal with the Jonas Brothers’ label
Being in a relationship with a singer and songwriter inspired Bailee Madison to start her own music career. She signed with Jonas Group Entertainment, and her debut single, “Kinda Fun,” was released in 2024, co-written with her partner Blake Richardson.
She starred in a string of hot new projects
Despite launching her music career, Madison continues to work steadily as an actor, appearing in The Hardy Boys, Good Trouble, and season two of Pretty Little Liars. She also signed on for the 2025 film 40 Dates and 40 Nights, and in May 2025, she joined the cast of Rocky Top College.